Brennan delight as focused Louth earn bragging rights over Royals

The Wee County came away with the points on Saturday.

Louth manager Ger Brennan celebrates with his parents PJ and Mary in Inniskeen, Monaghan. Pic: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

Louth manager Ger Brennan spoke about his players in glowing terms following Saturday night’s 3-10 to 0-9 demolition of derby rivals Meath in Inniskeen.

The Wee county were dominant in seeing off their neighbours – who were abject on their All-Ireland SFC group stage debut – for the first time in a championship match since 1975.

Man of the match Craig Lennon found the net twice in the first half of a clash which Louth led by nine points at the break.

“It was super achievement for the group,” he said. “It was obviously all about winning, be it one point or whatever it finished up.

“It was important to get the points on the board and build on the work done by the previous management.

“The lads were very focused. They had a business-like approach to how we prepared for the game and I’m delighted for the players.” 

Meath had actually started the brighter on a cool evening and were 0-3 to 0-1 in front after 10 minutes but Louth captain Sam Mulroy turned the match firmly in the winners’ favour before the quarter-hour mark when he collected Conall McKeever’s pass and blasted beneath Billy Hogan.

Cathal Hickey responded for the visitors to cut the gap to the minimum but it would be 10 minutes before the Royals would register again, in which time Lennon had found the net twice as the Reds moved eight points clear.

His first major ended a flowing move involving Mulroy, Tommy Durnin and Ciarán Keenan, although Lennon still had quite a bit to do in dancing around at least three Meath defenders before finishing with composure.

After another Mulroy free, the Louth skipper’s shot for a point came off the upright and landed perfectly on the chest of the inrushing Lennon, who had only Hogan to beat – and he duly did.

Cillian O’Sullivan’s mark ended the Royals’ scoring drought but Louth were rampant and moved 3-5 to 0-5 in front after excellent points by Lennon and Bevan Duffy.

Meath resumed with intent and Eoghan Frayne pointed but they went scoreless until the 20th minute of the second period thereafter, and failed to register during the time Louth were reduced to 14 players after Bevan Duffy’s black card.

And with Mulroy deadly accurate from free-kicks, Louth stretched their lead to 3-9 to 0-7 after an hour, with Meath showing little evidence of the type of preparation or quality that is required to compete in the All-Ireland series.

Ciarán Caulfield and Frayne (free) did amass consolation points for Colm O’Rourke’s charges, while Niall McDonnell made two fabulous saves to deny the Royals a late goal.

Though Ciarán Downey sent over to complete the rout for Louth, for whom this was their first championship victory over their neighbours in 10 attempts.

Scorers for Louth: S Mulroy (1-6, 0-6 frees); C Lennon (2-1); B Duffy, C Keenan, C Downey (0-1 each).

Scorers for Meath: E Frayne (0-3, 2 free); M Costello, S Coffey, R Jones, C Hickey, C O’Sullivan (1 mark), C Caulfield (0-1 each) LOUTH: N McDonnell; D Corcoran, P Lynch, D McKenny; N Sharkey, A Williams, C Lennon; T Durnin, C Grimes; C Keenan, C Downey, C McKeever; R Burns, S Mulroy, B Duffy.

Subs: C Byrne for Duffy (54), L Grey for Lennon (60), P Mathews for Burns (63), C Early for Keenan (67), D Campbell for D Corcoran (70).

MEATH: B Hogan; D Keogan, A O’Neill, R Ryan; H O’Higgins, D Campion, S Coffey; R Jones, C McBride; C Caulfield, C O’Sullivan, C Hickey; E Frayne, M Costello, J Conlon.

Subs: C Gray for McBride (HT), B O'Halloran for O'Higgins (HT), J O'Connor for O'Sullivan (45), J Morris for Conlon (45), M Murphy for Coffey (55).

Referee: P Faloon (Down).